Captain Courageous
Fourie du Preez gets biggest test of illustrious career today
FOURIE du Preez faces a tough task hauling the Springboks into the World Cup knockout rounds after they suffered the biggest shock in the tournament’s history and lost their captain.
The 33-year-old widely considered one of the best scrumhalves in he world says only that he will “lead from the front”.
But that is just what a lot of South Africans want right now.
The country still cannot get over seeing their beloved rugby idols beaten 34-32 in their opening World Cup match against Japan.
And the thumping 46-6 Pool B win over Samoa may have reassured them. But the decision of captain Jean de Villiers to quit after suffering a second broken jaw in six weeks came as a new blow.
South Africa go into their third game against Scotland today still not certain of qualification and Du Preez has a big job on his hands.
Without De Villiers and injured vice-captain Victor Matfield, Du Preez has lost 200 caps and must galvanise a youthful side at St James Park.
“I’m not one for many words so I’ll lead from the front on Saturday,” Du Preez said of his captaincy style.
“Luckily we have guys such as Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen to back me up, as well as a lot of experience across the team. I’m really grateful for this opportunity.
“A few months ago I thought my rugby career was over, and a few weeks ago I didn’t think I was even going to be here in England today. But life sometimes takes funny turns so to sit here as captain is unbelievable for me.”
Highly regarded as a tactician, Du Preez the “rugby brain” is one of the last remaining members of a golden era of Springboks that won the World Cup in 2007, beat the British and Irish Lions in 2009 and scored a 3-0 series win against the All Blacks in 2010.
While the praise often goes to the more flamboyant teammates like Matfield or Bryan Habana, Du Preez has been the bedrock of Springbok sides of the last decade.
Current coach Heyneke Meyer has built his entire campaign around the player he regards as “the best in the world”.
Meyer plucked Du Preez out of the junior ranks and gave him his first start in South Africa’s Currie Cup competition when he was just 19.
A Junior World Cup winner a year later, he was invited to the Springbok trials in 2003, but failed to make the final squad.
Du Preez was mentored by another great in Joost van der Westhuizen and started to become a vital part of the Blue Bulls Currie Cup hat-trick between 2002 and 2004.
He had to wait to become a dominant part of the Springboks though.
He was not a first choice pick in 2006, but returned in 2007 to be the unsung hero in Rugby title in 2008. But he struggled and the team finished 10th.
He returned in 2009 in scintillating form, however. The Bulls won their second southern hemisphere title, South Africa beat the British and Irish Lions and claimed a TriNations title.
A year later, the Boks whitewashed the All Blacks 3-0 in their Tri Nations campaign. — AFP